Carter Heywood "grateful" for professional contract at Swansea City

Carter Heywood said he is 'grateful' for the early opportunity to sign on to his first professional contract at Swansea City.

Heywood has been at the club since under-nines' level, signing scholarship terms prior to the 2025-26 campaign. 

And he signs an early pro deal entering his second year of the scholarship.  

And the 17-year-old recently made his first senior appearance for the Swans as featured in all three pre-season friendlies out in Austria.

"It's a really proud moment, I've worked so hard for this," said Heywood.

"It's something you dream of as a young boy, you just want to be a professional footballer, so to get this contract is amazing.

"Getting this contract a year early, and I'm still a scholar shows that they have trust in me and I'm so thankful for that.

"I joined at Under-nines', and I've worked my way up which is a special feeling.

"Coming from Pembrokeshire, your family have to sacrifice a lot to get you to training, I'm grateful for that. There were loads of times where they'd finish work early or I'd finish school early, around three or four times a week."

Carter became a main figure in the under-21s' backline as a 16-year-old last season, and he's gone on to feature in the Premier League Cup and Nathaniel MG Cup for the upper age-grade side.

His performances have earned him numerous call-ups to represent Wales this year, playing up an age-group for the under-19s in March, and for the Under-17s in October and November 2025, where he captained the Under-17s twice for their games against Slovenia and Portugal. 

"It has definitely been a breakthrough year for me, I feel like I've been consistent and getting good game time," said Carter.

"I feel I've had been rewarded for the last year as I've had a lot of opportunities to train with the first team under Vitor.

"Everyone was so welcoming and it's definitely helped my confidence as a player being in that environment."

He was named Academy Player of the Season in this year’s annual Player Awards dinner, after a highly successful season competing for both the under-18s and under-21s.  

And with a first-team pre-season under his belt, the centre-back is hoping to become a mainstay within Vitor Matos' set-up.

"That was a surreal moment, being involved at a first team awards let alone, winning Academy Player of the Season," he said.

"It topped off a successful season for me, and I'm thankful the coaches put me forward for the award.

"Looking forward, the hard work continues. I want to continue to be consistent, whether that's with the under-18s or under-21s but also hopefully up with the first team."